Feedback can be one of the most powerful tools an educator (teacher, tutor, parent, etc.) has to help students. Having said this, the feedback must be constructive and crafted in a way that inspires and encourages a love of learning.
We want to motivate students!
- Be specific when providing feedback.
While telling students they did a good job might make them feel good for a few moments, similar to getting a “like” on social media, it does not provide helpful insight.
Specificity is key.
Instead of simply saying, “You did well,” explain why the answer or assignment is well done. For example, “Your word choice in this paragraph is excellent, and you transitioned well from one idea to the next.”
Use the same method for weak areas. For example, “You forgot to include a concluding sentence that adequately ties the paragraph together.”
Now the student knows what to do for future assignments that have similar goals.
- Try to couch your constructive criticism with praise and encouragement.
It is a good idea to begin with a positive comment, explain any weaknesses – providing ways to improve, and end with encouragement. This might sound too involved; but, with a little practice, the steps come easily.
For example, “Your topic sentence is very good, and I like that you tied everything together with a solid concluding sentence. There are some weaknesses in your supporting sentences, particularly the second and thirdsentence as theyare off topic. I am sure that with a few revisions this will be an excellent paragraph.”
Yes, I’ve given another writing example, but this strategy works for any topic. Also, these are simplified examples. I would actually go into more detail with the student.
“I’m pleased that you’ve used steps to work out this math problem, and the first two are quite good. Your third step has a wee flaw related to order of operations. Do you remember the mnemonic for that? Excellent. Give it another try, and I’m sure you’ll conquer it.”
III. Focus on the material and the process – not the person.
Work that isn’t done correctly has nothing to do with the quality of the person. Focus on helping students to recognize weak areas and provide them with tools to strengthen them.
Help students to recognize mistakes as part of the learning process, not a reflection of who they are. Modelling can be very helpful here. Admit when you have made a mistake and model taking a positive approach to learning more about the topic and making corrections.
Hey, we all make mistakes!
- Ask guiding questions rather than providing the final answers.
Lead students to discover their thoughts and ways of expressing themselves. In this way, they will feel more engaged with the learning process, and they will retain more of the material.
To use this during feedback sessions, ask questions such as the following:
How could you clarify this supporting sentence?
What can be done to strengthen your thesis?
Is there an example you can think of that would relate to the reader?
This approach promotes critical thinking skills, self-monitoring, and problem solving. For decades, I have been saying that your best teacher is you!
Check out my book: Teach Myself? Teach Myself!
- Create a dialogue instead of a monologue.
Having a two-way conversation fosters a more collaborative learning environment. Allowing students to ask questions and share their thoughts helps them to understand the feedback you provide and how it fits into the overall assignment.
Also, asking students how they feel about the feedback lets you know whether they fully understood. Make sure students know the next step – the expectations. Also, providing a rubric can help them track their progress and aim to meet expected goals. It does not need to be a complicated one. In fact, simple and clear expectations are best.
Finale
Effective feedback isn’t just about criticizing or pointing out what is wrong. Providing specific, timely, and constructive feedback helps students develop and improve their performance without feeling discouraged. When done correctly, feedback is an invaluable tool for learning that engages students and encourages them to become life-long learners.
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